The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

The day of the engagement banquet was bright and clear.

The Marquis's mansion hadn't been so joyous and peaceful in a long time, and the old lady's long-suppressed depression finally subsided a bit.

Qi Yunli got up very early, wearing a brocade robe with tiny pearls on the hem, which shimmered as she walked.

As Tingyue combed her hair, she looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror and was filled with emotion:

"Madam is exceptionally beautiful. Once you put on this brocade robe, those who looked down on you will surely look at you with new respect!"

Qi Yunli smiled faintly: "There's no need for everyone to praise me, I just hope everything goes smoothly."

After she finished dressing up, she went to the entrance of the main hall and waited for the ladies of noble families to arrive one after another.

The old lady secretly wanted to make things difficult for Qi Yunli, but she also didn't want her granddaughter's engagement banquet to be completely ruined.

Leaning on his cane, he arrived at the front hall early in the morning and saw Qi Yunli standing under the corridor from afar.

Her brocade robe shimmered with light, yet remained understated; her features were gentle and dignified at first glance.

The Crown Prince's wives took their seats one by one, and she could call each of them by name and serve tea according to their different preferences.

The roses in the main hall were in full bloom, and the room was decorated in a grand and dignified manner.

The old lady slowed her pace and stopped rushing.

The old lady's nanny noticed what she was thinking and spoke up:

"Miss Qi's skills in dealing with people are no less than those of young ladies from prestigious families."

The old lady pursed her lips. "There are outsiders watching. I should still address you as Madam."

The old woman's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she quickly responded:

"The old lady is right."

Even the old lady has accepted Qi Yunli as her title, and soon everyone in the mansion will have to change how they address her.

The old lady took her seat, and the ladies from prominent families rose to greet her.

Each of them had a teacup next to their table, with the name of the tea and the corresponding snack written next to it.

This meticulous and thoughtful arrangement is even more detailed and considerate than when the manor held banquets in previous years.

The Duchess of Qi entered, supported by the wife of the Crown Prince.

The wife of the Duke of Qi's heir had only been married into the family for a few months. She had a smile on her face and was still a little inexperienced in social interactions.

However, this Lady Qi was completely different from the kind and amiable woman I had met before.

As soon as I entered and sat down, my sharp gaze swept across the entire hall's layout.

"The engagement banquet for the third daughter of the Marquis's family is unexpectedly lively. Especially the person in charge today, who is a stranger."

Upon hearing this, the ladies around quietly stopped chatting, not daring to speak carelessly and offend the people of the Marquis's mansion.

But his gaze kept lingering between Qi Yunli and the old lady, secretly thinking about how this good show would continue.

I'm even more eager to see Qi Yunli embarrassed and how Old Madam Hou will react.

They all disliked Qi Yunli. What right did this powerless woman have to stand on the same level as them?

The daughter of the Duke of Qi, having been rejected by the heir of the Marquis's mansion, had a legitimate reason to make things difficult for Qi Yunli.

At that moment, Qi Yunli was holding a teacup to add water for the old lady. Upon hearing this, she slowly walked to the old lady of the Qi State Duke's household.

"The Duchess of Qi has had a long journey. Today is the day of my third sister's engagement, and there are many trivial matters to attend to in the mansion. The younger generation feels sorry for our grandmother, who is getting on in years, and does not want her to be too overworked, so we thought we would lend a hand."

"I am fortunate that you ladies have graced us with your presence. If there is anything impolite, please point it out, and the nannies who helped with the arrangements will patiently explain."

Qi Yunli spoke with a kind expression and unhurried manner, using gentleness to overcome strength, and the hall fell silent instantly.

The ladies exchanged glances discreetly, all praising Qi Yunli's eloquence and composure.

They were all surprised that the banquet at the beginning of the year had been so elaborate.

The tea and snacks were delicious, the arrangement was tasteful, and everything was perfectly arranged.

Even Qi Yunli herself did not act rudely in the slightest.

Lady Qi was about to speak when the old lady in the main seat put down her teacup and cleared her throat.

"Thank you for your presence, Lady Qi. On this joyous day, let's quietly observe the newlyweds!"

The old lady's words did not explicitly acknowledge Qi Yunli's identity, but they indirectly helped her out of the predicament.

Lady Qi's face turned pale and then red, never expecting that the old lady would care for Qi Yunli so much.

When she received the invitation, she thought the old lady of the Marquis's mansion wanted her to go and humiliate Qi Yunli.

Now, they've changed their minds again?

The Crown Prince's wife beside her gently tugged at her sleeve:

"Mother, today is a celebratory banquet at the Marquis's residence."

Don't lose your composure.

The Duchess of Qi took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her face:

"The Marquis's mansion has strict rules. In the past, such elegant banquets were always handled by the main mistress. I didn't realize it at first."

An awkward silence fell over the room once again.

Qi Yunli smiled and said, "Then next time, Madam will know that I am currently the mistress of the Marquis's mansion."

In one sentence, he retaliated.

The old lady sat in the main seat, leisurely sipping her tea.

This girl is quite clever. She served as a cousin in the Marquis's mansion for a year, pretending to be well-behaved for a long time.

If she had known earlier that Qi Yunli was like this, we could have found her a better place sooner.

A soft, gentle melody filled the air as Wei Ruowei and Xie Dongpo, dressed in auspicious red robes, appeared.

Wei Ruowei took Xie Dongpo's arm and walked into the hall step by step.

The auspicious time arrives; the newlyweds offer tea, wishing them happiness, longevity, and good health.

The third wife received the tea from above and was so overjoyed that she burst into tears!

"You've finally stopped making me worry," the Third Madam said, wiping away her tears. "It's your mother-in-law's turn to worry now."

Wei Ruowei's eyes reddened, but she held back her tears.

"Mom, there are so many people here, please stop teasing me."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

They first paid their respects to the old lady, and then to the third lady.

Granny Xi, quick as a flash, tried to pick up their teacups, but Wei Ruowei stopped her.

"Today, my elder brother is far away at the border guarding our country, and my sister-in-law is the mistress of the inner quarters of the Marquis's mansion. We two offer tea to my sister-in-law."

Since her own family has accepted Qi Yunli's status as the matriarch, outsiders have no right to object.

The hand under the Qi State Duke's handkerchief paused slightly, and she said nothing more.

Xie Dongpo nodded in agreement, his gaze sincere:

"Sister-in-law, you've taken such good care of Ruowei, please have some tea."

……

Wei Ruowei got engaged, and Qi Yunli felt a little reluctant.

It was as if the other person could read her mind, and he would come to Jingchen Courtyard every day to chat with her.

Since the engagement banquet, the rumors have gradually subsided, and the old lady has made no further demands on Qi Yunli.

Two months later, Qi Yunli received a letter from Shen Junshan.

He also found a good match and planned to give up on Qi Yunli.

The day Qi Yunli left with the guards, they all knew that the two of them would never be together again.

Shen Junshan, understanding that Qi Yunli was an orphan girl who could not resist, took care of Qi Yunsi for a long time and even personally guided her studies.

As the days went by, the closer she got to the day she was supposed to meet Wei Jun, the more uneasy she felt.

For two or three months in a row, Wei Jun did not send a single letter home to let them know he was safe.

Until one day, news came from the street.

Marquis Dingyuan was defeated.